One of the most prolific groups in the history of country music will headline Celebration 2007 at Martinsville Speedway on July 3.

Diamond Rio, which has amassed a half-dozen number-one hits and more than 20 top 10 songs, will headline the eighth annual celebration, a free event sponsored by area industry and local government.

Diamond Rio will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. on July 3, the culmination of an afternoon and evening full of free fun.

Children's carnival rides open at 5 p.m. and run to 11:30 p.m. while Domino, a funky horn band from Roanoke will take the main stage at 7 p.m., leading up to Diamond Rio's show at 8:30. The evening will end with the area's largest fireworks display at roughly 10 p.m.

"We feel very fortunate that we've been able to put together such a great show again this year," said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. "We've had some great acts in here for this show in the past, but Diamond Rio has to be at the top of the list. The whole day is going to be outstanding, from the children's rides to the fireworks."

Diamond Rio has an amazing string of eight albums that have either reached gold or platinum status. In 1991 the group hit the top of the singles charts for the first time with "Meet in the Middle." The number-one hits continued with "Norma Jean riley," "In a Week or Two," "Love a Little Stronger," Walkin' Away" and "How Your Love Makes Me Feel."

The 2001 hit ballad "One More Day" revitalized the group's career, after becoming a song of healing following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Diamond Rio has been awarded top vocal group honors six times in total from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association and have sold more than 12 million albums.

The admission-free event would not be possible without sponsorship from local groups, including Memorial Hospital, Boxley Materials, Henry County, Hooker Furniture, American of Martinsville, Stanley Furniture, Bassett Furniture, Martinsville Speedway Children's Foundation and Martinsville Speedway.

This will be the ninth Celebration at Martinsville Speedway. Other groups performing over the years include Confederate Railroad, Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Daniels, Aaron Tippin, Tracy Byrd, Trick Pony, Trace Atkins and Blake Shelton.